(cw: transphobia, violence)

Rita Hester was a resident of Allston with deep ties to both the LGBTQ+ community and the Boston music community. On November 28, 1998, her life was tragically taken because of who she was.

Her death inspired the first annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is "an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence." Trans Day of Remembrance is observed worldwide, yet Boston currently has no memorial for Rita, nor is one planned.

As part of the Allston Yards development, there is a plan for a one-acre community green space. We, the residents of Allston-Brighton, and Greater Boston at-large, respectfully petition the developers and city to name the park after Rita Hester.

Let future generations know her name.

To learn more:

This HuffPost piece by Rev. Irene Monroe.​

This Bay Windows piece by Ethan Jacobs.​

This month's WBUR piece by Quincy Walters.